Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard holds the trophy aloft after the UEFA Champions League Final between AC Milan and Liverpool at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Turkey, Istanbul

Liverpool has made one of the most dramatic comebacks in football history to defeat AC Milan of Italy and claim its fifth European Cup title.

The Italians jumped to a 3-0 lead Wednesday in the Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey. But Liverpool needed just six minutes in the second half to turn the game around. Captain Steve Gerrard netted a goal in the 54th minute before Vladimir Smicer added another just two minutes later. Milan goalkeeper Dida saved a penalty attempt by Liverpool's Xabi Alonso in the 60th minute. But Alonso followed the deflection and fired the ball off the crossbar for the tying score.

The game went to a penalty shootout after two scoreless 15 minute extra periods. Liverpool prevailed, 3-2, in the shootout with Smicer making the decisive third score. Liverpool is the first team to come back from three goals down in the Champions League final.